US10746465B2 - Grain and crop drying method, system, and apparatus - Google Patents

Grain and crop drying method, system, and apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US10746465B2
US10746465B2 US15/606,712 US201715606712A US10746465B2 US 10746465 B2 US10746465 B2 US 10746465B2 US 201715606712 A US201715606712 A US 201715606712A US 10746465 B2 US10746465 B2 US 10746465B2
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Prior art keywords
grain
end portion
bin
adaptor
grain drying
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US20180283787A1 (en
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Patrick G. Bell
William N. Beckie
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Conleymax Inc
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Conleymax Inc
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Priority to CA2968123A priority patent/CA2968123C/fr
Assigned to CONLEYMAX INC reassignment CONLEYMAX INC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BECKIE, WILLIAM N, BELL, PATRICK G
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B19/00—Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects not covered by groups F26B9/00 - F26B17/00
    • F26B19/005—Self-contained mobile devices, e.g. for agricultural produce
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B21/00—Arrangements or duct systems, e.g. in combination with pallet boxes, for supplying and controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects
    • F26B21/001—Drying-air generating units, e.g. movable, independent of drying enclosure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B3/00—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat
    • F26B3/02—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air
    • F26B3/06—Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B9/00—Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitation; Domestic airing cupboards
    • F26B9/06—Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitation; Domestic airing cupboards in stationary drums or chambers
    • F26B9/063—Machines or apparatus for drying solid materials or objects at rest or with only local agitation; Domestic airing cupboards in stationary drums or chambers for drying granular material in bulk, e.g. grain bins or silos with false floor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B2200/00—Drying processes and machines for solid materials characterised by the specific requirements of the drying good
    • F26B2200/06—Grains, e.g. cereals, wheat, rice, corn

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to introducing heated air stream (heated air flow) from a heating unit to an aeration system of a grain bin (grain elevator) to provide a continuous flow of temperature controlled air into the bin to dry the grain or crops stored inside the bin.
  • heated air stream heated air flow
  • Grain drying is a process of drying grain to reduce or prevent spoilage and to inhibit microbial growth during storage. This process is used to reduce the moisture content of wheat, soybean, rice, barley, oats, etc.
  • To dry grain common practice has been for a farmer employee to haul grain from their bin to a commercial dryer, or to shuttle grain back and forth from their bin to their own on-farm grain dryer. Plus, one problem with using traditional commercial mechanical dryers when drying a crop like lentils, for example, is that the process chips the lentils, which takes the grade off of the lentils. According to one calculation, the cost of downgrading from a No. 1 quality lentil to a No. 2 quality lentil is $7.57 a bushel, or $36,000 per quarter section, based on an average yield of 30 bushels per acre.
  • Traditional drying process not only increase the chances of kernel damage, but are also time consuming, expensive, inefficient, and potentially dangerous.
  • the present invention removes these problems by utilizing a heating unit, ducting (e.g., hose), and grain drying adapter to introduce heated air directly into an aeration system included on many grain bins.
  • the heating unit may be a mobile device and may be a flameless unit, such as the flameless heater as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 13/834,942, or a conventional straight air heater.
  • This system gives farmers the ability to more effectively dry down grain without having to move it out of the bins, saving time, equipment, and trucking costs. Plus, multiple bins can be dried with a single heating unit (e.g., heat exchanger).
  • this system may be portable, it is beneficial for remote locations that lack access to power.
  • This invention comprises three major components: heating unit, ducting, and grain drying adapter.
  • the heating unit is arranged in the proximity of a grain bin.
  • the ducting is connected at a first end to an outlet portion of the heating unit.
  • the ducting is connected at a second end (distal end, opposite end) to a first side of a grain dryer adapter.
  • the grain dryer adapter is connected at a second side (opposite side) thereof to a fan unit of an aeration system for a grain bin.
  • the grain dryer adapter unit is configured with spaced through-holes to introduce a desired volume of ambient air into the fan.
  • a blend of heated air from the running heating unit and ambient air from the through-holes is introduced to the fan and circulated into the bin via the aeration system.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a grain drying apparatus attached to an aeration system of a grain bin.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a grain drying adapter connected to a fan of an aeration system of a grain bin.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a heating system, including a heating unit connected to a ducting connected to a grain drying adapter.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a grain drying adapter, with dimensions.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a heating unit.
  • FIG. 1 an illustrative view of a grain drying apparatus attached to an aeration system of a grain bin. Each component will be described in detail, followed by an overview of the system.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a heating unit 10 , preferably mobile, that is arranged in proximity to grain bin (or elevator) 50 .
  • the heating unit 10 may be designed with safety features including positive air shut off, brushless alternator, secondary liquid containment and emergency stop button to reduce risk to grain and facilities.
  • the grain bin 50 in this embodiment is equipped with an aeration system (not shown, but in general comprises a fan 40 designed to blow ambient air through a central duct in the bin 50 ), including fan 40 .
  • the heating unit 10 is configured to release air heat via the outlet component.
  • Ducting 20 (e.g., 16′′ diameter, but any appropriately sized ducting can be used, and 25-50′ long, but any appropriately length ducting can be used) is attached at one end to the outlet component of the heating unit 10 and at the other end to either the fan 40 or to a grain drying adapter 30 (described below), which is attached to the fan 40 .
  • the air released from the heating unit 10 flows through the ducting 20 and is ultimately introduced into the fan 40 of aeration system of one or more gain bins 50 .
  • the ducting 20 is designed with a single inlet communicating with the outlet component and two outlets communicating with first and second grain bins 50 .
  • FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a grain drying adapter 30 connected to a fan of an aeration system of a grain bin.
  • the grain drying adapter 30 is designed to hook or connect to a front (air introduction portion) of the fan 40 .
  • FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of heating unit 10 connected to a ducting 20 connected to a grain drying adapter 30 that is connected to a fan 40 of a grain bin 50 .
  • FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of grain drying adapter 30 .
  • the adapter 30 may be formed from 24-gauge galvanized sheet metal, or any other known material that will withstand the temperature and outside elements (e.g., tin).
  • the adapter 30 illustrated in this embodiment is substantially tubular (other shapes may be utilized, including square, rectangular, etc, so long as communicate at least partially with the fan 40 ), approximately 12′′ long and 155 ⁇ 8′′ in diameter (other appropriate dimensions are suitable), and comprises a lip portion 32 on the ducting side of the adapter 30 , a plurality of through-holes 34 formed on the fan side of the adapter 30 , and at least one attachment component (e.g., S-hook) 36 .
  • an attachment component e.g., S-hook
  • lip portion 32 is formed approximately 2′′ from an open end of the adaptor 30 (other appropriate dimensions are suitable).
  • the attachment component and adapter 30 is designed to connect to different sized fans.
  • the through-holes 34 may be arranged in one or more rows around the entire or non-entire circumference of the adapter 30 .
  • the through-holes may be spaced apart equidistant, but this is not necessary.
  • the through-holes function to introduce ambient air to the fan 40 to be circulated into the bin 50 via the aeration system.
  • the adapter 30 can designed with a screen on at least a portion of the adapter 30 to introduce ambient air to the fan 40 .
  • the through-holes 34 may be positioned 1.5-6′′ from an open end of the adaptor 30 .
  • the through-holes 34 are staggered such that a first through-hole is located so that a center thereof is 2′′ from an open end of the adaptor 30 and an adjacent second through-hole is located so that a center thereof is 3.5′′ from the open end of the adaptor 30 .
  • Each of the through-holes 34 illustrated in FIG. 4 has a 1′′ diameter.
  • Other suitable dimensions that maintain the structural integrity of the adaptor 30 and permit adequate ambient airflow into the adaptor 30 may also be utilized.
  • the air introduced via heating unit 10 alone is too hot for certain grain drying applications (e.g. 5000 CFM).
  • the adapter 30 is designed to attach (e.g., S-hooks) to front of the fan 40 and allows a predetermined volume of ambient air (e.g., cooler) air to mix with the hot air from the outlet of the heating unit 10 before being introduced to the aeration system of the grain bin 50 .
  • a blend of heated air from the running heating unit 10 e.g., heated air stream or heated air flow
  • ambient air from the through-holes 34 is introduced to the fan 40 and circulated into the bin 50 via the aeration system.
  • the heated air stream is typically 160-200 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the blend may have a temperature of approximately 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • the heater air stream flow rate is approximately 5000 cfm (cubic feet per minute).
  • the aeration bin air flow is approximately 7000-20,000 cfm. (air flow rate changes based on specific fan used with grain
  • the grain drying adapter 30 may be configured to include staggered holes 34 arranged in two rows around the circumference of the adapter 30 . Staggering of the holes improves the strength of the adapter 30 , while allowing for predetermined and desired volume of ambient air introduction into the aeration system.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the grain drying adapter 30 with connector elements 36 attached.
  • the elements 36 are S-hooks (any known alternative fastening element maybe used) that are two-inches long (other length and shape can be used) and attached to the adapter 30 at one end thereof through one-inch diameter hole (other holes suitable for selected connecter dimension may be used).
  • FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a heating unit that may be used to generate the heated air that is introduced into the aeration system.
  • Other suitable heating units may be used to introduce heated air into the aeration system.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
US15/606,712 2017-03-31 2017-05-26 Grain and crop drying method, system, and apparatus Active 2038-03-06 US10746465B2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US15/606,712 US10746465B2 (en) 2017-03-31 2017-05-26 Grain and crop drying method, system, and apparatus
CA2968123A CA2968123C (fr) 2017-03-31 2017-05-26 Methode de sechage du grain et des produits de recolte, systeme et appareil
US16/437,473 US20190293350A1 (en) 2017-03-31 2019-06-11 Grain and Crop Drying Method, System, and Apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201762480013P 2017-03-31 2017-03-31
US15/606,712 US10746465B2 (en) 2017-03-31 2017-05-26 Grain and crop drying method, system, and apparatus

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US16/437,473 Division US20190293350A1 (en) 2017-03-31 2019-06-11 Grain and Crop Drying Method, System, and Apparatus

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US10746465B2 true US10746465B2 (en) 2020-08-18

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US16/437,473 Abandoned US20190293350A1 (en) 2017-03-31 2019-06-11 Grain and Crop Drying Method, System, and Apparatus

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11656027B2 (en) 2020-03-20 2023-05-23 Agra Industries, Inc. Biomass drying system and method

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA179154S (en) 2017-03-29 2018-05-25 Conleymax Inc Grain drying adapter
CA3016973A1 (fr) * 2018-09-10 2020-03-10 102055301 Saskatchewan Ltd. Dispositif adaptateur de raccordement d`un radiateur de construction a un ventilateur pour cellule a grains
US11584414B2 (en) 2021-02-24 2023-02-21 Nathan Sept Dolly assembly
CN114342672B (zh) * 2022-01-18 2023-06-09 中国科学院西北生态环境资源研究院 一种具有干燥结构的种子保存装置

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2551215A (en) * 1949-08-01 1951-05-01 Coit B Lytton Heating and ventilating apparatus for tobacco barns
US2714258A (en) * 1954-09-15 1955-08-02 Cornelius C Smith Means for drying peanuts and the like
GB1030445A (en) * 1963-03-14 1966-05-25 Brodrene Taul Aktieselskabet Improvements in or relating to grain storage installations
FR2480920A2 (fr) 1980-04-16 1981-10-23 Comia Fao Sa Sechoir a cereales perfectionne
US4307701A (en) * 1980-04-25 1981-12-29 Jack Balon Portable heat distribution system
WO1987007937A1 (fr) * 1986-06-23 1987-12-30 Mezo^"Gazdasa^´Gi Kombina^´T Aga^´Rd Procede et dispositif de sechage pulsatoire de materiaux granulaires presentant des pores capillaires, notamment du grain a l'aide d'un milieu seche au prealable
US20040022627A1 (en) * 2002-07-30 2004-02-05 Daniel Hanchett Blower adapter assembly
US20100170105A1 (en) * 2009-01-08 2010-07-08 Burns David W Grain dryer
US7814677B2 (en) * 2007-12-07 2010-10-19 Brewer Howard W Dryer extension and method of drying an object
US20110167667A1 (en) * 2010-01-14 2011-07-14 James Zoucha Method and means for drying grain in a storage bin

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2551215A (en) * 1949-08-01 1951-05-01 Coit B Lytton Heating and ventilating apparatus for tobacco barns
US2714258A (en) * 1954-09-15 1955-08-02 Cornelius C Smith Means for drying peanuts and the like
GB1030445A (en) * 1963-03-14 1966-05-25 Brodrene Taul Aktieselskabet Improvements in or relating to grain storage installations
FR2480920A2 (fr) 1980-04-16 1981-10-23 Comia Fao Sa Sechoir a cereales perfectionne
US4307701A (en) * 1980-04-25 1981-12-29 Jack Balon Portable heat distribution system
WO1987007937A1 (fr) * 1986-06-23 1987-12-30 Mezo^"Gazdasa^´Gi Kombina^´T Aga^´Rd Procede et dispositif de sechage pulsatoire de materiaux granulaires presentant des pores capillaires, notamment du grain a l'aide d'un milieu seche au prealable
US20040022627A1 (en) * 2002-07-30 2004-02-05 Daniel Hanchett Blower adapter assembly
US7814677B2 (en) * 2007-12-07 2010-10-19 Brewer Howard W Dryer extension and method of drying an object
US20100170105A1 (en) * 2009-01-08 2010-07-08 Burns David W Grain dryer
US20110167667A1 (en) * 2010-01-14 2011-07-14 James Zoucha Method and means for drying grain in a storage bin

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Canadian Office Action dated Oct. 3, 2018 for Canadian Patent Application No. 2,968,123.

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11656027B2 (en) 2020-03-20 2023-05-23 Agra Industries, Inc. Biomass drying system and method

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US20190293350A1 (en) 2019-09-26
CA2968123A1 (fr) 2018-09-30
US20180283787A1 (en) 2018-10-04
CA2968123C (fr) 2021-03-30

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